The benefit to having address labels on your luggage is to avoid the bags from being picked up by the wrong traveller or lost in transit. Baggage handlers can use the information on these tags to contact you and potentially mail your luggage home if the bags are misplaced during travel. The advantage of doing the address inserts for luggage tags on your computer, versus writing them out by hand, is that the information will be clearer for someone else to read should your luggage get misplaced or lost.

Making Paper Luggage Tags

Open the word processing program on your computer, such as Microsoft Word.

Choose “File” and “New”. A list of available templates will appear.

Choose the “Business Card” option from the templates available. Choose a standard or plain business card template so that it will be easier to edit the card.

Double click on the business card template option with your computer mouse. This will automatically download and open up the business card template that you chose. Eight business cards fit in one template page so you n make up to eight different luggage tags.

Type your first and last name in the “Name” section of the template. You will need to delete the word “Name” once you type in your own name. Type your full address in the “Address” section of the template, including zip code. Type in your phone number in the “Telephone” line of the template. Delete any other unnecessary words in the template.

Retype the same information or the information of a family member or friends in the adjacent business card template if you wish to make more than one luggage tag.

Click on “File” and then click on “Print”. Print out the template you just completed on card stock (with business letter dimensions of 8 ½ inches by 11 inches).

Place the sheet of printed card stock on top of a piece of thick cardboard.

Hold a plastic ruler on the right hand side of the first business card, in the middle of the card stock. Cut along the ruler, on the right hand side, with an Exacto knife to cut out the first card. Hold the ruler on the bottom of the first business card and cut along the ruler with an Exacto knife. Repeat the aforementioned steps for the remaining cards that you wish to print out.

Slip the finished card into the plastic cover already attached to your luggage handle. If your luggage does not already have a plastic cover for luggage tags, cut a rectangular hole in the left side of the luggage tag. Tie the luggage tag onto the handle of the bag with a durable ribbon, using a double knot, or a use a plastic tie.

Making Plastic Luggage Tags

Download the pre-made luggage tag templates in PDF or Word format from Microsoft (see References).

Click on “File” and “Print”.

Insert one sheet of shrinkable plastic (such as “Shrinky Dinks Plastic Designed for Ink Jet Printers”) into your printer.

Place the sheet on a thick piece of cardboard on the table.

Cut around the luggage tag shape with an Exacto knife. Cut out the rectangle shape on the left hand side of the luggage tag with the Exacto knife. This will be used for tying the luggage tag onto your bag.

Write your name, address, and telephone number on the luggage tag with a fine-tipped, permanent black marker.

Line a metal cookie sheet with waxed paper. Preheat the oven at 275 degrees.

Place the luggage tags on the cookie sheet and slip it into the oven. Bake the tags for four minutes. Remove from the oven and put the sheet aside for one half hour so the luggage tags can cool down.

Cut out a piece of durable ribbon that is up to five inches long. Tie the luggage tag around the handle of the luggage with a double knot. Otherwise, use a plastic tie to attach the luggage tag to the handle.

Tip

  • Read the User's Manual of your printer before you run a sheet of shrinkable plastic through it, to ensure the ink jet printer can handle this type of material.

About the Author

Anne Redler is a writer who has worked in research and publishing since 1996. She has published work on the topics of macroeconomics and financial markets, including articles in the "Financial Times" and "The Wall Street Journal." Redler holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Business Administration from Boston University.

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